==== ==== French Horn students can learn the Horn audition repetoir by subscribing to this site.

Dale Clevenger demonstrates how it's done. A must see web site for young players who want to get into a good music program or pro orchestra. Good Luck http://www.orchestralconservatory.com ==== ==== Early Years Clevenger, born in July 1940 into a family of amateur musicians in Tennessee, began piano studies at an early age. His father, then President of the Chattanooga Opera Association, brought his eager son to concerts. It was there he first fell under the spell of the French horn. "The horns gleamed and caught my eye. Their sounds resonated in the marrow of my bones. The more I listened, the more I became infatuated," says Clevenger. "I was perhaps eight when I knew I was going to play this instrument and I was going to play in an orchestra. I'm fortunate - I've been living my dream my whole life." At fourteen Clevenger began studies with the first chair of the local symphony and within a year was studying with Alan Goldman. Twenty years later Clevenger received a phone call from Mr. Goldman, who said it time to switch roles; he now wanted to study with Clevenger. Clevenger's professional career began while he was in college. His solo appearances with the Chattanooga Orchestra and the Wheeling Symphony helped pay for his Carnegie Mellon University studies. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, a society that recognizes academic excellence, and graduated with a BFA, majoring in horn. "I immediately moved to New York, the Mecca of music," says Clevenger. "I opened shows including Oliver and The Fiddler on the Roof, while taking every audition I could - I had chutzpah including one for Stokowski in his living room." The Chicago Symphony Orchestra One audition landed Clevenger chairs with Leopold Stokowski's American Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony of the Air directed by Alfred Wallenstein. He soon attained the position of principal horn of the Kansas City Philharmonic, but was there for only one season before joining the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as principal horn in February, 1966. He was twenty-six years old. Even prior to Clevenger's appointment at the CSO, its brass section had been long renowned for its distinctive and legendary sound, frequently cited as the best in the world. The accolade, originating from the Germanic repertoire favored by the CSO's first directors, was further substantiated under future directors, particularly Sir Georg Solti. And while each music director put his own stamp on the CSO style, its brass section continues to maintain its brilliant, robust and iconic sound.? Branching Out

During his forty-year tenure with the CSO, Clevenger played under and studied with its last four directors: Jean Martinon, Sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim and now Ricardo Muti, as well as a host of the world's greatest conductors. His conducting career began as Music Director of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, which he led for fourteen years, and eventually to conducting orchestras and chamber ensembles the world over, most recently conducting Daniel Barenboim in Seville, Spain. Clevenger also quickly became a much sought-after soloist, teacher and recording artist on almost every continent, garnering Grammies and praise along the way. He also performed the world premiere of Concerto for Horn, written for him by John Williams. Personal Dale lives outside Chicago. His wife, Alice Render Clevenger, a horn player and superlative musician in her own right, recently died after an eight year struggle with cancer. One son, Jesse, is currently studying horn at Indiana University. Clevenger speaks five languages including Spanish, French, German and Italian. An avid hiker and camper, Dale is also interested in the culinary arts and is an oenophile. TenorPosaune Web Development C ==== ==== French Horn students can learn the Horn audition repetoir by subscribing to this site. Dale Clevenger demonstrates how it's done. A must see web site for young players who want to get into a good music program or pro orchestra. Good Luck http://www.orchestralconservatory.com ==== ====